Vendor Spotlight & GIVEAWAY: EcoGreen Crafts (day 2

The tag line for the Eco Green Crafts company is “Where creativity come naturally,” and they take their commitment to the earth seriously. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the company is committed to using reclaimed and recycled materials whenever possible and to providing safe, sustainable products. Their complete line of eco-friendly art and craft products launched in January 2010, at the Craft and Hobby Association trade show. The company’s mission is to make products that are harmless to consumers, manufacturing workers, and the environment.

I was very excited to try Eco Green Crafts’ non-toxic paints. I received my bachelors degree in painting in 2003 and have always been worried about the toxicity of traditional oil and acrylic paints. Long-term, career exposure to dangerous paint fumes can have serious health consequences. I have not been painting as much as I once did (I use a computer for much of my artwork these days), but having access to safer paints has inspired me to take up my brush again!

First, I just did a quick test of all the paint and ink colors on black and white paper. The paint has a much thinner consistency than other acrylic paints I’ve worked with, and the colors are slightly more subtle and subdued. However, they went on smoothly and opaquely, even on black. The paint dries very quickly, but is easily cleaned from brushes and surfaces with water while still wet. And, even when dry, the paint washed off of my skin very easily with just regular soap and water – that is a huge plus!

As you can see, the paint colors are beautiful on both the black and white surface, but the ink from the “Paris Trunk” ink pads only worked on the white paper. I did not expect the ink to work on the black, as it is dye-based and meant for porous surfaces, but I just wanted to try it out.

Once I was done testing, I dived right into the Board Book. I painted the entire cover with the Lime and Coral colors, and accented the edges with the darker New Grass green. My intention is for the Board Book to become a scrapbook/art journal about my experience living in New York, so I used my own Doodlebug glitter chipboard letters to spell that out on the front cover. I emphasized the edges of the letters with the Stormy blue paint. Then, I added some of my own ribbon and clippings from some of my favorite museum guides as decorative embellishments. I used the Green Glue to attach all of the elements, even the Glass Glintz, and everything is holding on securely.

I am definitely not done with the Board book — I can’t wait to fill the inside pages — but I am happy with its progress so far. Although they have a very matte finish when dry, the lime and coral paint colors turned out nice and bright, even next to the neon ribbon I added.

I also used the Eco Green Crafts paints to create an Artist Trading Card in honor of Earth Day. I used many of the different paint colors on the ATC, layering them to create depth. I used the Pure Silver color around the earth and I love how shimmery it is!

Overall, I am really impressed with all of the Eco Green Products, especially the paint. When you think of earth-friendly paint you usually only think of muted, earthy colors, but these paints were bright and fun! Plus they were easy to use and easy to clean up.

You can learn more about Eco Green Crafts and find some great craft projects on their blog.

Pros:

Earth-friendly, recycled, and non-toxic products!

Safe for kids (and adults, of course).

Wide-range of craft products available in the Eco Green Crafts line.

The paints are bright, opaque, and fast drying.

The metallic paint colors are brilliantly shimmery.

The Green Glue dries quickly and holds very securely.

Cons:

This may also be a pro, but the paints are very thin in consistency compared to traditional acrylic paint. They can run, drip and be messy.

In general, the paint colors do not create extremely bright colors when mixed.

Have you tried any of Eco Green Crafts other craft projects? Have you tried other non-toxic, earth friendly paints? How do you feel they compare to traditional acrylic and oil paints?

GIVEAWAY!EcoGreen Crafts is giving two of our readers 10 assorted colors of their Eco-Friendly Acrylic Paint! Leave a comment on this post and tell us what you do to make your crafts eco-friendly! One comment per person, per “Vendor Spotlight: EcoGreen Crafts” article, please. Winners will be selected on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.

98 Responses to Vendor Spotlight & GIVEAWAY: EcoGreen Crafts (day 2

I heard about this new venture and am delighted to read your review. I’m looking forward to trying their products myself as I am concerned about my exposure to toxic chemicals as well as what it does to the environment.

In my own crafting, I try to recycle where possible — I use packaging materials for example. I also do my best to use paper scraps rather than just tossing them.

great review. I wouldn’t say i am a big Eco person i try to re use where i can and recycle as well. so in my crafting room i have a draw where i put any packaging i like and odd ends of paper and card. i try to use them where i can. i hate throwing things away that can be re-used.thanks for the chance to win goodies.x x x

what a great review! I’m so excited that enviromentally friendly craft products are coming out! I hope to see more and more!

I try to recycle as much as possible and upcycle as well. I’ve been re-using the ton of receiving blankets I got as a gift when my daughter was born and turning them into ornaments and stuffies and embroidering on them. I would normally give away any of my daughter’s outgrown clothes but new parents always receive these blankets as gifts so didn’t think anyone would need these old ones!

thanks for reviewing this new line, it’s nice to get some feedback on a new line before shelling out hard earned cash to buy. while we do reuse and repurpose things while crafting, i think my biggest eco friendly crafting secret is to purge and give the items to my daughter’s classrooms.

I keep and use scraps of paper, I use packaging to make book covers or ‘chipboard’ embellies, I also will only buy something that has multiple uses … not just one specialized use.I so want to try these paints out!

I’m entering for my 12 y.o. daughter. She would love these as she’s very environmentally conscience. When she crafts she loves to use recycled things. She saves all sorts of things and repurposes them for use in crafts that come from her imagination.

Great article. The EcoGreen product line looks very promising. As an artist herself, Julia Andrus, knows what an artist is looking for in terms of supplies and useability. It sounds like she has a hit on her hands! I recyle packing to use in my art, even used coffee cups get recyled for holding water when painting, sometimes I cut them up and turn them into minibooks or embellishments. I use all my paper scraps to make mosaics or small die cuts.

Earth day is April 22??!?! I like to repurpose old wrapping paper & ribbons from gifts I’ve received for other projects (card making or scrapbooking or even wrapping another gift in it). I don’t like to waste. I had tons of scrap pieces that I know I will eventually use. It’s fun this way!

I love that there are more choices on the market for those of us that are trying to be more eco-friendly. I use all kinds of recycled materials for my art and for storeage options. I’ve been turning boxes inside out and cutting them down to reuse for years. Then I was called cheap or frugal, now I’m “green.”

These products look great! What I do to make my crafts more eco-friendly is I save many of my baby food jars and salsa jars to store buttons, ribbons, and notions in. It’s easy and convenient! Especially since I almost never throw my scraps away!

Sounds like a really good way to go…I recycle my cards and my scraps by giving them to a lady in our church and she in turn changes them if necessary and sends them to shut-ins. I also like to use my Christmas cards by shredding and making in cards with Faux Quilting and Paper Weaving techniques. Pizza boxes hold my stamps, and I always use packaging materials in my art work.Jan

I recycle a lot of things for crafts and share with pals as well (can and bottles etc)I pick up more stuff off the ground outside than a child! lolI love that companies are going greener now. Our children might have a fighting chance not to be poluted out of the world.

What a fabulous bunch of goodies! I’ve been excited about their products since I started seeing pictures from CHA. In my own crafting, I try to re-use packaging in projects (acetate pages from stamps for clear mini albums, printed packaging for embellishments, etc…), I use cardboard and found items, I reuse a lot of stuff when I make jewelry and I use eco-friendly light bulbs in the lamps in my craft room.

I too was delighted to learn about this company and the review(s) are extremely helpful to me! I am especially pleased with today’s review because I have been exploring some techniques that require me to water down my acrylic paints so these may be just what I’m looking for! Off to their blog to find out where I can get them!

I think I’m like most crafters in that I never throw anything away and have several shoe boxes full of “finds” that I think could some day be embellishment worthy. I also have folders FULL of scraps from past projects. Strips as thin as a 1/4 inch of paper are saved…after all SOMEDAY a card is going to need a little border and that strip will be PERFECT!

The products look fab can’t wait to try the paints!I reuse anything from bottle tops which i make flowers from ,to scraps paper ,ribbons of clothing,buttons i no longer need.Ireuse and afraid horder as they say waste not want not ,by recycling items saves money every penny counts when your a crafter!Good luck with new productsjudex:)

I love the reviews you’ve done on this new company. I don’t use paint at all because of the smell. They just really bother me. So I am so excited to try these paints!!

In my own crafting I use as much of our homes “waste” as possible to craft with. I LOVE all kinds of card board and chipboard packaging and containers are just my favorites. I just washed a “Tostitos” jar to make into a bath salt jar for our new bathroom.

I try and do everything i can to craft green. I save everything..food boxes, cans, clothes, junk mail..EVERYTHING. I try and reuse as much as I can. I have been actually thinking about asking people to donate the used things thy have to me so I can start a kids craft thing. I want to teach kids the joys of self expression, & it’s easier to use the things you have instead of just buying more and more (especially toxic)…

I try to reuse my solvent as many times as possible, with separate baby food jars for light, medium and dark paint cleaning.I reuse canvases that I’m not happy with, and use as many ‘green’ products as possible’.

I would love a chance to try these products! I reuse and recycle many, many things in my home and studio. I love re-purposing items into my artwork whether it be in found objects, always looking at something for a new use, or using even styro-foam packing sheets as batting for my small art quilts! I get really creative finding new uses for items instead of throwing them out.

This sounds like a great product. I never even considered acrylic paint as a way to craft consciously, but I do use plant based oriental watercolors quite often.I tend to use consumer goods to do my crafting, mostly because it only seems practical. Being a collector of “found objects” I try to incorporate old letters, magazine backgrounds, bottle caps, cardboard from boxes, and recycled paper in my art journals. Once I even made a doll with nylons and stuffed her with plastic bags, using left over fabric and lace to decorate her. I love to re-use other items like lids, disposable utensils, and foam from fresh food products as stamps and painting tools. Anything I can do to re-use makes me feel a little bit better about the trash that I do throw away.

I reuse packaging, try to use all my paper bits – if not they go in a recycle container instead of the garbage. For storage I try to resue other containers or buy second hand. I have not given much thought to the toxicity of my inks and paints – I will be!

We recyle as much as possible at our house. And instead of buying storage containers for all my stamps and craft stuff, I use the rectangular containers that originally held organic salad mix. Also, I use both glass and clear plastic jars to hold all the little bits and pieces that I use for embellishing cards and scrapbook pages. Thanks for a chance to win. Iris Soscia

i first heard about this company in Scrapbook Trends & was interested to see the vast array of products they have on offer. As a paper crafter i am always concious of the amount of paper etc that i am using up! But i do try and recycle as much as i can, i love finding things i can re-use on my scrapbook pages from cupcake cases to corrugated cardboard, there’s a lot of interesting things you can up cycle on your pages when you are looking for them!

I never throw anything away. Even the smallest bits of paper will be saved for future projects. Inchie mosaics anyone?. Cereal boxes are the cheapest chip board around and used quite a bit at our house.

Interesting review! I’m especially interesting in a non-toxic glue. To make my crafting more eco friendly I reuse packaging. I also collect and use a wide assortment of things that would normally be thrown away.

I’m thrilled to hear about this product line. I use no VOC paint when painting our house, so why not when crafting too? I like to reuse and recycle as much as I can. One idea: I use the foil inner liner from yogurt containers for punched flowers. It shapes really well and looks beautiful!

I teach crafts in Sunday School in my church, kids are our future, if we protect our world for our children, they have a better place to live. I will go over to the blog and to study more how this product can teach our children about saving the globe. That is a part of our job and their job to start NOW. I will introduce to the parents and let them explore. Thanks for a chance to win such a wonderful product.

I try to upcycle and reuse in crafting as much packaging and junk mail as I possibly can. The amount of those kinds of items that I use in projects is much greater than the amount of commercial craft supplies. I also do a lot of painting in my projects, and I really had not been aware previously that acrylic paints have so many potentially toxic ingredients. I’m very interested in the Eco Green products and I hope they find wide distribution.

I love the idea eco friendly products,as we recycle everything from bottles,cans,veg etable peelings,I use all my card making products go as far as I can,I keep all small pieces of paper to use with my punches.I would love to win the eco green paintsJocelan P

Thank you for this review; I’ve been curious about this range but really can’t afford to splash out on something I don’t know much about. I think I’ll definitely buy a couple of colours and give them a go.

Wow! That paint though thin, looks quite impressive with the opaque coverage! I hope I’ll be able to find these when I need them for a project! I recycle a lot in my crafting and try to make things work for multiple purposes. I re-use interesting boxes to make my own templates and even find ways to make flower embellishments with tissue paper from the store’s wrapping!

I too used to paint but have not used my paints in a long time partly because of the hazards so these paints would be a welcome change. the other items look fbulous too- I try to reuse,recycle and repurpose as much as I can in my household especially my craft work using packaging and wrappings as much as possible in one way or another and I also cut up old clothes to make other items and try to use natural products as much as possible

I am too excited about these paints! I’ve got to get them and then figure out how to dispose of all the other ones… maybe I’ll just use them all up and be done with it, hate to waste it… but hate to use them too.. what a dilema. Would sure love to win them that would ROCK!Peggy Chttp://www.createwithbubbe.blogspot.com

I already left my giveaway comment on the previous article (crafting with packaging from daily use, individually wrapped items [tea and allergy meds]), but I just had to comment again to thank you for doing such a thorough test of these paints. The acrylic paints are what I’m particularly interested in from this company, and I’m glad to see that they produce a nice result. I actually like the fact that they can be a bit thin so I can achieve some translucent effects. I’ll definitely think about purchasing some of these once my craft budget opens up again.

I use things from my yard – press flowers, and plan to use sticks in future shadow boxes. I use grocery boxes to create books and storage. Used chopsticks for holding items and supporting items in shadow boxes. I have been saving magazine photos and junk mail photos for mail art.

Great looking products! I try to use every last bit of my paper — either make an embellishment, use it for scratch paper, add a little something to a giftcard, etc. I also reuse the little shopping bags I sometimes get at boutiques. A little embellishment and they are new giftbags.

I teach art to kids and we often go into the art closet and pull out all kinds of things we’ve collected including cardboard from cereal boxes etc., paper towel tubes, baby food jars, bubble wrap, well,you get the idea. We pull out paints, inks, etc. and they just go to town creating “recycled art”! They LOVE doing this! It’s so cool to see them use their imaginations and the variety that they come up with! I had read about these products a few months ago and am happy to see they are available. I appreciate that you showed the colors on black as well as white. I actually liked all the colors (except 1) better on black. The colors are subtly vibrant and look beautiful!

Heck ya, that would be a lot of fun to play with. I don’t know if my tip is eco-friendly or its recycling. I reuse old jewelry and make new pieces out of all the old. I also wrap my jewelry in old maps. ambrerose(!at)aol.com

i try to re-use or re-purpose items in my art. i don’t throw things away unless i am sure the life is gone. i recycle paper and other materials. i wish manufacturers would use more recyle-able packaging and cut down on the amount of packaging. it is a relief that someone in the craft business is thinking about toxicity – for the people who make stuff and for the people who use it. i hope that this company uses #1 or #2 plastic so that i could recycle them when the fun is over. i think this would be the most important, yet overlooked – use post-consumer waste in making the containers AND make sure to indicate the type of plastic so that it can be recycled. i can’t wait to try their products.

I love to repurpose anything and everything I can. And using earth friendly products makes sense! I have only used Earth Safe Finishes Acrylic Paint which has No VOC’s too. Their paint is very thick, but can be thinned with water. It would be interesting to try these paints and these colors, hopefully I can real soon! Love the Earth!!!